Rise in Assault at San Diego Comic Con

There is always news regarding assault, sexual harrassment, and comic con policies when it comes to any convention. This year at the San Diego Comic Con has most certainly raised some serious concerns as to the safety of all attendees. Despite claims of increased security and presence of local San Diego Police Department, incidents still occurred.

The most horrifying of incidents involved a female minor cosplayer attending the convention in celebration of her birthday. It was reported that after a disagreement, the victim ran off and was later discovered on the side of a road--unconcious and bloody. The victim's friends and family reached out, along with the San Diego Harbor Police Department, to anyone with any information to contact them. The victim is listed in critical condition at a San Diego Hospital. The victim's identity is being concealed since she is a minor.

Press Release from the San Diego Harbor Police Department:

Incident Type: Arrest

Incident Date/Time: July 27, 2014 1:15am

Location: 333 W Harbor DR.

Case #: 14-03122

Prepared by: Sergeant Todd Rakos

Harbor Police arrested a 29-year-old man early Sunday morning, July 27th in a hotel at 333 West Harbor Drive. He was booked into San Diego County Jail at 11:20 am on charges of sexual contact with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of minor. The victim, a juvenile female, was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. The Harbor Police Investigations Unit is handling the incident. This investigation is ongoing.

We here at GameSkinny send our best wishes to the victim and her family for a full and speedy recovery.

This wasn't the only assault out of SDCC either. Adrainne Curry was noted for coming to the aide of a friend and fellow cosplayer, Alicia Marie, after being assaulted by an attendee. As someone who frequents conventions, incidents such as these, concern me greatly. Why are we not safe? Why aren't officials doing a better job at prevention?

All of this begs to question consent. A word that is becoming extinct for all intents and purposes. Since when has behavior such as these become the "norm?" Something needs to be done and it starts with each and every one of you.

Excuse my language, but I would have beaten his a**. The girl assaulted is still in the hospital in San Diego with bleeding to the brain, eye socket and skull fractures. It happened on her birthday too. She was left on the side of the road. Her facebook page is Milly Massacre if anyone wants to send her your thoughts and support. This sickens me as it only makes me wish I was there so I could beat the crap out of him. Comic-Con claims that safety is their huge priority and concern, yet do nothing to enforce such a claim..sad.

It's an unfortunate incident to a rising issue. There only so much the officials can do as well. It starts with the behavior and attitude of everyone who attends. There are articles flooding sites telling people that conventions are the place to go if you're looking for "action." I've stumbled on this "so-called" writing and it sickens me. It's only further influencing incidents such as these. I don't care what type of cosplay outfit a woman or young woman is wearing--it doesn't give anyone the right to assault them PERIOD! People think that "rape culture" is a figment of imagination but it's real. Behavior at conventions are further proving this. We as a society need to say "Enough is enough" and do something about it. We need to TEACH and instill this to our young, that it's not okay. Law enforcement can do so much. Victim shaming needs to STOP as well!!

Well the girl that was supposedly raped and brutally beaten was actually not raped or beaten, she fell after scaling a 6 foot fence while being drunk. Which in itself is a good thing since she wasn't raped or beaten, but still hope she recovers very quickly. I'm sure she feels silly and just hopes this all blows over. My initial comment was coming from personal reasons as I'm an older brother...a very protective one at that and if it did happen the way initially reported..I would have been instantly angered.

I was glad to hear myself that she wasn't a victim of assault, just of her own actions. Unfortunately I do feel bad for the photographer who was arrested since he believed her when she claimed to be 20. Even her cosplay page clains the same age. It's a tough situation for everyone involved and I do hope for her recovery. She certainly does have a lot of explaining to do. This doesn't change the fact that there are still issues at conventions-this just wasn't one of them.